The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-09-25
.BUNCOMBE'S BARBECUE
A GREAT AND GLORIOUS
SUCCESS.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PRES
ENT.
Enough to Eat For the Multitude
and to Spare.
SPEECHES SHORT, SHARP AND
NUMEROUS.
BEncombc Must. Have More Rail.
roads Good Feeling and Earn
est IIentfOn.

| Yesterday was a red-letter day for
Buncombe. The weather was bright,
and bracing and vera early the peo-
pie began to throng in from the coun-
try to participate in the exercises,
and to hear and discuss the important
proposition now submitted.
Promptly at half-past ten, the
Asheville Silver Cornet Band took
position on the Public Square, and
sounded the note for assembling in
one of their prettiest airs. At eleven
o'clock the band preceded by two of
our handsome police, took up the line
of march to Nellie Park, followed by
an immense throng. In a short while
several thousand of the good people
of Buncombe, with a number of visi-
tors, including many ladies, had as
sembled around the stand erec ted for
the speakers. After several inspiring
airs by the band, the assembly was
called to order by Capt. G. M. Nc
Loud.
Hon. H. S. Harkins, Mayor of
Asheville, was called to preside, and
the editors of the city papers request
ed to act as secretaries.
The first speaker introduced was
the Hon. Mr.. ICrittendcn, of Green
vile, S. c., who came as the author
lied representative of his city ap-
pointed by the authorities thereof to
attend this meeting. He spoke of the
anxiety of his people for the connec-
! ton with Asheviile which the con-
struction of the Carolina, Knoxville
d Western Railroad would give his
county, Notwithstanding it has al
ready voted several hundred thous-
and of dollars to other roads, discov-
ering the great benefit of such in
vestments, proposed to and would
vote 100000 more for this road, to
connect them with the metropolis of
the mountains and the great north
west Mr.. c. spoke for some min
utes in plain but very impressive
and effective wBy. He was then fol-
lowed by short speeches by DR.. J. W.
Vandiver, of Weaverville, Mr.. Lon. w.
Wells, of Leicester Mr.. S. T. Kelsey,
of Highlands, Messrs. II. A. Gudger,
M. j. Fagg, W. T. Reynolds, M. E.
Carter, ]. B. Lindsey and Hon. Thos.
D. Johnston. Every speech was
short, but was very practical, dis
carding all attempts at oratory, but
giving the hearers honest, business
reasons why the county can afford to
vote the proposed tax. Capt. Atkin-
son read a letter from Col. John NJ.
Robinson, President of the Carolina
Central Railroad, in which Col. R.
said if Buncombe would give one
hundred thousand dollars, and he
could be assured of something be-
yond, he would extend the C. G. road
to Asheville.,
Capt. Atkinson then closed the
speaking of the day by few brief,
but very moving remarks. He lit
orally carried thewhole crowd with
him. He invited them all, men,
women and children, white and col
ored, to proceed to the long, heavily
ladened tables, and partake of as
good and well-served dinner as
they ever sat down to. This propo-
sition was carried unanimously, and
soon the first substantial work in
the direction of the new railroads
was begun. There were several ta-
bles. each several hundred feet long,
and each completely filled with ex-
cellent food. OF course it was en-
ioyed, but there were many baskets
full left, after the crowd were feasted
enough.
This much for the formal part of
the days proceedings.
Ot course we cannot undertake to
say how large per cent of the
crowd favor the proposition. There
is one thing we can say, and that is.
the crowd was the most orderly and
seriously attentive one we ever saw,
for its size, showing that all were
deeply interested i'll the proposition
and were at least open to conviction,
it they haye not already become
convinced. The object of the meets
ing was to have the people come to-
gether to discuss the matter in a
free, frank, business way: not only
meeting of those who favor it, but
of those who were disposed not to
do SO. In all respects the object of
the promoters of the scheme was en-
tirely attained, and all may there.
fore feel more than gratifed and en-
couraged. The immense crowd,
from every section, have heard all
the points involved fully explained
and discussed, and, we believe, If
reason can control them their own
reasoning upon the proposition will
lead large majority to support it.